Standardbred Canada (SC) led its third planned promotional event for new Junior Members at First Line Training Centre in Nassagaweya, Ont. on Saturday, Sept. 27. What turned out to essentially be a private lesson for one Junior Member, went off with a successful hitch for everyone involved.
Phoenix Henriques, the lone Junior Member on-hand, was previously featured in a Standardbred Canada story on Sept. 5, when his brother, Xavier, won the SC-Landmark Stables "Win a Share of a Racehorse" contest at Grand River Raceway. Henriques has spent time at horse camps and is very excited to get involved with racehorses as his family embarks on their first ownership journey this fall.
The trip to First Line only ignited Henriques’ interest in horses, as all horses and horsepeople involved in the guided tour showed off the best of themselves. Trainer Boyd Wilson and his father, Harry, along with their herd, began the day by exemplifying spectacular caretaking and training abilities as they taught safe handling techniques while brushing, picking feet and leading a horse.
The Wilsons passed the baton to the Jamiesons for the second stop, where two-time World Driving Champion Jody Jamieson, along with his daughter, Sierra, and friend, Delaney Hudon, showed how to harness and drive a horse. Fortunately for Henriques, with the small group, he got the opportunity to hitch up and drive his first horse -- an experience he wants to be able to do again!
The tour met its final destination at the TheStable.ca where trainer Dominic Gladu and caretaker Johnny Mackinnon received the group for a discussion on fractional ownership and a trip to the equine pool to watch horses swim. To end the morning, the group was generously provided with a spread of snacks and drinks by property owners Joe and Ruth Stutzman.
SC extends its gratitude to all those who were involved and looks forward to continuing its initiative to increase youth participation in harness racing
(Standardbred Canada Press Release)